Dhaka, Nov 26 (UNI) Bangladesh’s Interim Government on Tuesday night rebutted a statement by India’s foreign ministry protesting the arrest and denial of bail of a prominent Hindu monk, and maintained that “such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbours”.
In a statement, the Bangladesh foreign ministry said it had noted India’s statement on a matter concerning the “internal affairs of Bangladesh”.
It expressed “utter dismay and deep sense of hurt” that the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Kumar Das on “specific charges” has been misconstrued by “certain quarters”.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said that India’s statement “does not reflect the harmony that exists among the peoples of all faiths and the commitment and the efforts of government and the people in this regard”.
It said that India’s statement also “completely disregards that the Government of Bangladesh is determined to conclusively end the culture of impunity to the perpetrators of gross human rights violations against the people of Bangladesh, thus treating the religious majority and the minorities alike”.
It said that ensuring the safety and security of its citizens, especially members of the minority communities, is a duty of the Government, which was “vindicated by the peaceful observance of Durga Puja throughout Bangladesh last month”.
It said the matter of the arrest of the Hindu monk is being dealt with by the court of law.
The statement said that the government is committed to upholding communal harmony, and added that it is concerned over the brutal killing of a lawyer in Chattogram, which took place at the court during the hearing of the case of the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Earlier in the day, India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that it had noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to prominent Bangladesh Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, who has actively campaigned for minority rights in Bangladesh, is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON leader, was arrested following the controversial accusation of sedition levied at him a month earlier after he led a rally with a saffron flag in Chittagong instead of the Bangladesh national flag.
He was arrested from Dhaka airport as he was about to take a flight to Chittagong.
India said in a statement: “We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.
“This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples.
“It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das.
“We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” India said.
